Biography

Alias Rhoady/Roady/Rhody Schwan/Schwann/Schwoon. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon, a storm, which had been brewing for the previous two days, culminated in thunder and lightning. Preparations were being made for tea and Schwan was sitting on his bunk in camp while his mate, Jeremiah Barnett, went out to a Woodheap to get some wood for the fire. During Barnett's absence, a vivid flash of lightning struck Schwan, killing him instantly. Charles Cocks, a young man whose camp almost adjoins that of Schwan, received a slight shock which threw him off the bunk where he was lying at the time. Schwan had been on the fields for many years. He was one of the early prospectors on the leads in Kanowna, as well as one of the first at Burtviile. He was a prominent figure at football matches, as he generally occupied the position of umpire. He did a large amount of pioneering in the back blocks, his last trip being to Warburton Ranges with Carr Boyd and party. Schwan was of a happy, jovial disposition and splendid company, being capable of relating exceptionally humorous back-block yarns. Rhody was one of four children born to a couple who married on 19 May 1858 at Clare (Marriage Registration 34/192). His siblings were John SCHWOON, born 17 July 1859, William SCHWANN, born 5 April 1863, Alfred SCHWOON, born 15 June 1865, all in South Australia. The deceased's death was certified in writing by his brother, William, who was working at Boulder Block at the time.

Jeremiah Barnett was apparently a very lucky man because seven years earlier, in 1897, the same Jeremiah Barnett was playing draughts with James Heffernan, at Mount Margaret, while a storm was brewing. They were both struck by lightning and while Jeremiah Barnett was able to be revived, his draughts opponent, James Heffernan, died.